Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 34401A vs Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 34461A
This comparison details the differences and similarities between the legacy industry-standard Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 34401A and its direct successor, the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 34461A digital multimeter. Both are highly precise 6.5-digit instruments designed for benchtop and automated test system applications, sharing identical best one-year DC voltage accuracy specifications. However, the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 34461A introduces a modern color graphical interface, standard USB and LAN connectivity, expanded current and sensor measurement ranges, and significantly larger internal memory capacity.
- Best 1-Year DCV Accuracy
- 0.0035% of reading + 0.0005% of range
- Resolution
- 6.5 Digits
- 34401A Interface
- RS-232, GPIB Standard (USB Optional)
- 34461A Interface
- USB 2.0, LAN Standard (GPIB Optional)
- 34401A Max Memory
- 512 readings
- 34461A Max Memory
- 10,000 readings
Specifications
| Specification | Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP)34401A | Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP)34461A |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Interfaces | RS-232, GPIB (Standard); USB (Optional via adapter) | USB 2.0 (Host and Device), LAN (LXI Core), GPIB (optional) |
| Display | Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) | 4.3-inch color TFT-LCD, 480 x 272 resolution, supporting trend charts, histograms, and bar charts |
| Measurement Functions | DCV, ACV, DCI, ACI, 2-wire Resistance, 4-wire Resistance, Frequency, Period, Continuity, Diode Test | — |
| Real-Time Clock | — | Yes (with battery backup) |
| SCPI Version | — | 1999.0 |
| Physical | ||
| Power Supply | 100V / 120V / 220V / 240V ±10%, 45 Hz - 66 Hz or 360 Hz - 440 Hz, 25 VA max | 100 V / 120 V / 220 V / 240 V (±10%), 50 Hz / 60 Hz / 400 Hz (±10%), 55 VA maximum |
| Operating Temperature(°C) | 0 to 55 | 0 °C to 55 °C |
| Dimensions (W×H×D)(mm) | 254 × 103.6 × 374 | 261.2 mm × 103.8 mm × 303.2 mm (with bumpers and handle) |
| Weight(kg) | 3.6 | 3.76 kg |
| DC Voltage Specifications | ||
| Ranges | 100.0000 mV, 1.000000 V, 10.00000 V, 100.0000 V, 1000.000 V | — |
| Maximum Resolution | 100 nV (on 100 mV range) | — |
| Input Resistance | >10 GΩ (100 mV, 1 V, 10 V ranges); 10 MΩ ±1% (100 V, 1000 V ranges) | — |
| Input Bias Current | < 30 pA at 25 °C | — |
| Maximum Input Protection | 1000 VDC | — |
| Common Mode Rejection Ratio (CMRR) | 140 dB (for 1 kΩ unbalance in LO lead, DC) | — |
| Normal Mode Rejection Ratio (NMRR) | 60 dB (at 50/60 Hz ±0.1%, for 1 NPLC or greater) | — |
| 1-Year Accuracy | ±(0.0035% of reading + 0.0005% of range) on 10 V range | — |
| DC Current Specifications | ||
| Shunt Resistance | 5 Ω for 10 mA / 100 mA; 0.1 Ω for 1 A / 3 A | — |
| Burden Voltage | < 0.15 V at 10 mA, < 1.5 V at 100 mA, < 0.3 V at 1 A, < 1 V at 3 A | — |
| Resistance Specifications | ||
| Measurement Method | Selectable 4-wire or 2-wire ohms (Current source referenced to LO input) | — |
| Maximum Lead Resistance (4-Wire) | 10% of range per lead for 100 Ω and 1 kΩ ranges; 1 kΩ per lead on all other ranges | — |
| AC Voltage Specifications | ||
| Frequency Range | 3 Hz to 300 kHz | — |
| Measurement Technique | AC-coupled True RMS (measures AC component only) | — |
| Maximum Crest Factor | 5:1 at full scale | — |
| Input Impedance | 1 MΩ ±2% in parallel with 100 pF | — |
| Frequency and Period Specifications | ||
| Frequency Ranges | 3 Hz to 300 kHz | — |
| Period Ranges | 3.33 µs to 333 ms | — |
| Input Signal Level | 100 mV to 750 V rms | — |
| Continuity and Diode Test | ||
| Continuity Threshold | Adjustable from 1 Ω to 1000 Ω | — |
| Diode Test Current | 1 mA | — |
| Diode Voltage Range | 0 to 1.2 V | — |
| Measurement Characteristics | ||
| A/D Converter Type | Multi-Slope III | — |
| Integration Times (NPLC) | 0.02, 0.2, 1, 10, 100 Power Line Cycles | — |
| Math Functions | Null, Min/Max/Average, dB, dBm, Limit Test | — |
| Reading Memory / Storage | 512 readings | — |
| System and Operating Speeds | ||
| Maximum Readings per Second (Over Interface) | 1000 readings/second in ASCII format across GPIB | — |
| Maximum Readings per Second (To Memory) | 1000 readings/second | — |
| Triggering Characteristics | ||
| Trigger Sources | Internal, External, Bus (Software) | — |
| Trigger Delay Range | 0 to 3600 seconds (10 µs step size) | — |
| Interfaces and Programming | ||
| Supported Command Languages | SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments), Agilent 3478A, Fluke 8840A/8842A | — |
| Environmental and Compliance | ||
| Storage Temperature Range | -40 °C to 70 °C | — |
| Warm-up Time | 1 hour | — |
| Calibration Cycle | 1 year (recommended) | — |
| Physical Specifications | ||
| Rack Mount Size | 2U half-rack | — |
| Front and Rear Input Terminals | Standard, switch-selectable | — |
| Performance | ||
| Overrange Capability | 20% on all ranges (except 1000 Vdc and 750 Vac) | — |
| Max Reading Rate to USB Flash Drive | — | 80 readings/s |
| 4-Wire Resistance Max Lead Resistance | — | 10% of range per lead (100 Ω, 1 kΩ ranges), 1 kΩ per lead (other ranges) |
| Power | ||
| Power Line Frequency | 45 Hz to 66 Hz, and 360 Hz to 440 Hz (automatically sensed at power-on) | — |
| Power Consumption | 25 VA peak (10 W average) | 75 VA maximum |
| AC Power Voltage Options | 100V, 120V, 220V, 240V (±10%) | — |
| AC Line Frequency Range | — | 45 Hz to 66 Hz, 360 Hz to 440 Hz |
| Environmental | ||
| Shock and Vibration | MIL-T-28800E Type III, Class 5 (operating) | — |
| Acoustic Noise | — | 35 dBA (nominal) |
| Vibration & Shock | — | MIL-PRF-28800F, Class 3 |
| Compliance | ||
| Safety Compliance | IEC 1010-1, EN 61010-1, UL 1244, CSA 1010 | — |
| AC Characteristics | ||
| AC Filter Bandwidths | 3 Hz (slow), 20 Hz (medium), 200 Hz (fast) | — |
| Performance Characteristics | ||
| A/D Linearity | 0.0002% of reading + 0.0001% of range | — |
| System Speeds | ||
| Reading Speed (4½ Digits, 0.02 NPLC) | 1000 readings/s | — |
| Reading Speed (5½ Digits, 1 NPLC) | 60 readings/s (60 Hz line) / 50 readings/s (50 Hz line) | — |
| Reading Speed (6½ Digits, 10 NPLC) | 6 readings/s (60 Hz line) / 5 readings/s (50 Hz line) | — |
| Measurement Specifications | ||
| Display Resolution | — | 6.5 digits |
| DC Voltage Ranges | — | 100 mV, 1 V, 10 V, 100 V, 1000 V |
| DC Voltage Best 1-Year Accuracy | — | 0.0035% of reading + 0.0005% of range |
| AC Voltage Ranges | — | 100 mV, 1 V, 10 V, 100 V, 750 V |
| AC Voltage Frequency Range | — | 3 Hz to 300 kHz |
| AC Voltage Best 1-Year Accuracy | — | 0.06% of reading + 0.03% of range (at 10 Hz - 20 kHz) |
| DC Current Ranges | — | 100 µA, 1 mA, 10 mA, 100 mA, 1 A, 3 A, 10 A |
| DC Current Best 1-Year Accuracy | — | 0.05% of reading + 0.005% of range (on 100 mA range) |
| AC Current Ranges | — | 100 µA, 1 mA, 10 mA, 100 mA, 1 A, 3 A, 10 A |
| AC Current Frequency Range | — | 3 Hz to 10 kHz |
| AC Current Best 1-Year Accuracy | — | 0.10% of reading + 0.04% of range |
| Resistance Ranges | — | 100 Ω, 1 kΩ, 10 kΩ, 100 kΩ, 1 MΩ, 10 MΩ, 100 MΩ (2-wire and 4-wire) |
| Resistance Best 1-Year Accuracy | — | 0.010% of reading + 0.001% of range (on 10 kΩ range) |
| Diode Test Threshold / Source Current | — | 5.0 V maximum test voltage, 1 mA source current |
| Continuity Threshold | — | 1 Ω to 1000 Ω (adjustable) |
| Frequency and Period Range | — | 3 Hz to 300 kHz (Period: 333 ms to 3.3 µs) |
| Frequency Best 1-Year Accuracy | — | 0.01% of reading |
| Supported Temperature Sensors | — | RTD (PT100), Thermistor (2.2 kΩ, 5 kΩ, 10 kΩ) |
| System Performance & Digitizing | ||
| Maximum Reading Rate (to Internal Memory) | — | 1,000 readings/s |
| Maximum Reading Rate (to Bus) | — | 1,000 readings/s |
| Internal Memory Capacity (Readings) | — | 10,000 readings |
| Aperture / Integration Time Range | — | 0.02 NPLC, 0.2 NPLC, 1 NPLC, 10 NPLC, 100 NPLC |
| Input & Noise Characteristics | ||
| DC Voltage Input Impedance | — | 10 MΩ ±1% (all ranges) or > 10 GΩ (100 mV, 1 V, 10 V ranges) |
| Input Bias Current | — | < 30 pA at 25 °C |
| Maximum Input Voltage (Terminal to Terminal) | — | 1000 V (HI to LO) |
| Maximum Input Voltage (Terminal to Earth) | — | 500 Vpk (LO to Earth) |
| DC Common Mode Rejection Ratio (CMRR) | — | 140 dB (for 1 kΩ LO lead unbalance) |
| AC Common Mode Rejection Ratio (CMRR) | — | 70 dB (at 50/60 Hz, for 1 kΩ LO lead unbalance) |
| Normal Mode Rejection Ratio (NMRR) | — | 60 dB (at 50/60 Hz, for 1 NPLC or greater) |
| AC Crest Factor Limit | — | 3:1 at full scale |
| Triggering & Mathematical Functions | ||
| Trigger Sources | — | Internal, External, Manual, Software |
| Trigger Delay Range | — | 0 s to 3600 s |
| Pre-trigger Capability | — | Up to 10,000 readings |
| External Trigger Input Level / Pulse Width | — | TTL-compatible, minimum 1 µs pulse width |
| Voltmeter Complete (VM Comp) Output | — | TTL-compatible, ≈ 2 µs pulse width |
| Math Functions | — | Null, Min/Max/Average, Standard Deviation, Limit Test, dB, dBm |
| Connectivity & System Interfaces | ||
| USB Port (Host/Device) | — | USB 2.0 (Host on front panel, Device on rear panel) |
| LAN Interface / LXI Compliance | — | LAN (10/100 Base-T, LXI Core 2011 compliant) |
| GPIB Interface (Standard/Optional) | — | Optional (via option 3446GPBU) |
| Command Emulation Modes | — | Keysight 34401A SCPI |
| SCPI Language Compatibility | — | Standard SCPI-1999 |
| Physical & Environmental Specifications | ||
| Storage Temperature Range | — | -40 °C to 70 °C |
| Operating Humidity Limit | — | Up to 80% RH at 40 °C (non-condensing) |
| Maximum Operating Altitude | — | 3,000 meters (approx. 10,000 feet) |
| Warm-up Time | — | 60 minutes |
| Compliance & Safety | ||
| Standard Calibration Interval | — | 1 year |
| Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Standards | — | EN 61326-1, IEC 61326-1, ICES-001 |
| Standard Warranty Period | — | 3 years |
| Measurement Ranges | ||
| Capacitance Ranges | — | 1 nF, 10 nF, 100 nF, 1 µF, 10 µF, 100 µF |
| Maximum Diode Test Voltage | — | 5 V |
| Continuity Test Current | — | 1 mA |
| Measurement Accuracy | ||
| Capacitance Best 1-Year Accuracy | — | 1.0% of reading + 0.3% of range |
| AC Measurement | ||
| AC Low-Frequency Filter Settings | — | 3 Hz, 20 Hz, 200 Hz |
| Measurement Options | ||
| Resistance Measurement Configuration | — | 2-wire and 4-wire |
| Safety & Compliance | ||
| Safety Category Rating | — | CAT I 1000 V, CAT II 300 V |
| Pollution Degree | — | Pollution Degree 2 |
| Math & Analytics | ||
| Statistical Calculations | — | Min, Max, Average, Standard Deviation, Peak-to-Peak |
| Limits Testing | — | Pass/Fail limits with high/low visual indicators |
| Display Options | ||
| Histogram Display Mode | — | Supported |
| Trend Chart Display Mode | — | Supported |
| Display | ||
| Display Size | — | 4.3 in (109 mm) diagonal |
| Display Resolution (Pixels) | — | 480 × 272 |
| Storage | ||
| Instrument State Storage | — | Supports saving any number of states to internal flash or external USB drive |
| Triggering | ||
| Voltmeter Complete Pulse Width | — | ≈ 2 µs |
| External Trigger Latency | — | < 15 µs |
| External Trigger Jitter | — | < 1 µs |
Display and Graphical Capabilities
The Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 34401A utilizes a traditional Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) to output text and numeric data. In contrast, the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 34461A features a 4.3-inch color TFT-LCD screen with a resolution of 480 x 272 pixels. This color display enables advanced graphical representations of measurement data directly on the instrument front panel, including real-time trend charts, histograms, and bar charts, facilitating quicker diagnostic analysis without an external computer.
Measurement Functions and Expanded Ranges
While both multimeters cover standard DMM functions like DCV, ACV, DCI, ACI, 2-wire/4-wire resistance, frequency, period, continuity, and diode testing, their specific ranges differ.
The Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 34461A extends current measurements down to a 100 µA range and up to 10 A for both AC and DC, whereas the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 34401A spans up to 3 A. Additionally, the 34461A includes native support for capacitance measurements (from 1 nF to 100 µF) and temperature sensor measurements using RTDs (PT100) or thermistors (2.2 kΩ, 5 kΩ, and 10 kΩ), functions not standard on the 34401A.
Memory and Connectivity Interfaces
Data logging and communication capabilities differ significantly between the generations. The Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 34401A contains an internal memory capable of holding up to 512 readings and features standard RS-232 and GPIB interfaces, with USB only available via an optional external adapter.
The Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 34461A provides an internal memory capacity of 10,000 readings and supports pre-triggering up to 10,000 readings. It integrates USB 2.0 (Host on the front panel, Device on the rear) and LAN (LXI Core) interfaces as standard, while GPIB is available as an option.
Frequently asked questions
- Can the 34461A emulate the programming commands of the older 34401A?
- Yes, the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 34461A features a 34401A SCPI command emulation mode, allowing it to serve as a direct replacement in legacy automated test systems.
- How do the power consumption specifications compare?
- The Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 34401A has a maximum power consumption of 25 VA peak (10 W average). The Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 34461A has a higher power consumption rated at 75 VA maximum.